1976 Ridge Cabernet-Merlot Monte Bello

Red Bordeaux Blend

Community Tasting Note

December 29, 2006 - Impromptu drinking (Columbus, OH): Labeled as "Ridge California Cabernet/Merlot Monte Bello" with a 85/15% Cab/Merlot blend with only 11 barrel total production. Seems like it may be an experimental wine. Color-wise showing very few signs of bricking or age. Classic, merlot influenced wine showing plum, menthol, and mushroom notes along with a distinct green streak. Grainy, tannic palate. Would never guess this is 30 years old, but hard to believe the fruit will last as long as the tannins. Enjoyable, and impressively robust, but not special.

4,912 views

1 Comment

yhn commented:

3/24/13, 8:37 PM - Yes, this was Ridge's experiment at adding Merlot to Monte Bello. As with the regular '76 Monte Bello, all previous vintages had been 100% Cabernet Sauvignon.